Thousands displaced by worsening conflict in the Philippines

Emergency

Philippines

Handicap International (HI) in increasingly concerned for the welfare of tens of thousands of displaced people in the southern Philippines. Since armed conflict broke out in Marawi city, Mindanao, on the 23rd of May 2017, at least 360,000 people have been forced to leave their homes. Many are now living in precarious conditions.

Poor access to humanitarian assistance

Some families fleeing from the conflict have sought refuge in evacuation centers, whilst others are living in towns and villages amongst the local population. HI has observed that the limited humanitarian assistance reaching the area is not adequately adapted for vulnerable people. “People with disabilities, for example, are living in centers where they are unable to use showers and toilets because there are no ramps or handrails.” explains Gilles Nouziès, HI Desk Officer for the Philippines.

“Vulnerable people living outside of evacuation centers in particular are not receiving enough assistance, including food, and most are unable to work or to go to school. This creates a very high risk situation”.

HI is seeking funding to help the most vulnerable people affected by this crisis, both with their immediate needs and in the longer term. Our activities will include the provision of cash grants to ensure that all displaced people can access enough food, hygiene and shelter items.

Deadly consequences

HI is also very concerned about the threat posed by unexploded ordinance in and around Marawi. After months of heavy fighting, some areas are densely contaminated with dangerous remnants and improvised explosive devices. It is essential that people who plan to return to the area after the fighting are made aware of the risks. HI plans to launch activities to teach children and adults how to identify and avoid objects that may be dangerous in order to reduce the risk of injury or death.

HI in the Philippines

Handicap International began operations in the Philippines for the first time in 1985. Since development in the Philippines is highly unequal, HI’s strategy focuses on the poorest areas of the country where the population is most exposed to disaster and conflict and which lack adequate public services.

To gofurther

Following ongoing clashes in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, more than 8,000 people have fled to southern Burundi since 24 January. HI has assessed the needs of the affected populations, in conjunction with the NGO Terre des Hommes, and is planning to launch an emergency response.

HI physiotherapist, Farhana, works in Kutupalong camp in Bangladesh, which has become one of the largest refugee settlements in the world. Ibrahim is one of more than 600,000 Rohingya refugees who fled when violence broke out in Myanmar in August 2017 and one of many who sustained life-changing injuries. Farhana shares her experience of meeting Ibrahim and the progress they have made.

Amongst the 625,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are many hundreds living with severe disability. Their families are struggling to care for them in difficult camp conditions. Noorayesha is partially paralysed and cannot leave her tent.